In the summer of 2022, the life of Mark Kevin Bruckler, II, a 42-year-old man, was tragically cut short in Gaffney, South Carolina. On the morning of July 24th, Bruckler was fatally shot on Union Highway. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office responded to a call about a shooting with injuries at approximately 7:59 a.m. and discovered Bruckler at the scene with gunshot wounds.
Originally from Somers Point, New Jersey, Bruckler was a father of two sons, Mark III and Nicholas.
He worked in construction and was of the Baptist faith. His family included his parents, a brother, and four sisters. Those who knew him remembered his personality with phrases like 'Go BIG or Go Home' and 'Deal with it & It is what it is.'
Following the incident, law enforcement officials initiated a manhunt for a suspect in the shooting. The Cherokee County Sheriff's Office identified 31-year-old Leonard Herbert Finch as the individual wanted in connection with Bruckler's death and formally charged him with murder. In a related development, Finch's mother was also implicated and charged with accessory after the fact for her alleged involvement following the homicide. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting continued as authorities sought to bring the primary suspect into custody.
